Wife of Nigeria’s President, Aisha Buhari has described the Nigerian para-powerlifting squad as a team of champions for qualifying for the world cup, and also the 2020 Paralympics.
Mrs. Buhari said this during a courtesy visit by the team and its officials to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday November 26, 2019.
The first lady said the achievements of the team had brought glory to the country, leading to its nomination to host the para-powerlifting world cup for three consecutive years (2020 – 2022).
In a statement by the special assistant to the president in the office of the first lady, Aliyu Abdullahi, she expressed optimism that the team will win again.
Speaking on the tournament taking place in February 2020, the first lady said she is proud to be the chief host of the tournament and will do her best to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
She noted Nigeria is always ready to showcase itself to the world, and called on all relevant agencies, the private sector, and all Nigerians to support her in welcoming the world.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the competition, Mahmood Halilu Ahmed said Nigeria secured the hosting rights of the competition on merit owing to the repeated successful outings of the team in various countries, sometimes winning most of the medals.
He recalled the decision by the Nigerian Para Powerlifting Federation to appoint the First Lady as the host of the tournament, expressing the confidence that she will deliver a successful exercise.
